Cancer screening is offered to women and men for different parts of the body. It is important to attend your appointment so that any problems can be found early and treated. Please look after your body, check your body, know your body and spot all changes early. Early detection and prevention saves life. 

 YOU ARE WORTH IT

Why is cancer still a taboo topic in our community as Black people, and how do we make it less common a discussion in our household and community? 

We have Funmi sharing about the TWERINDE project and findings from her community outreach. Below is the episode link on YouTube.

Link: https://youtu.be/RWhtFjGKHew 

Land and wealth ownership have long been tied to power, security, and opportunity, yet Black women remain disproportionately excluded from these resources. In this eye-opening episode of Your Story, Our Voice, hosts Judith and Lillian are joined by Carina Gaffney, Jess Steele, and Rose Ssali to explore the intersection of land justice, economic equity, and community empowerment for Black women.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 What is land justice? Understanding its role in social and economic equity.

🔹 Why Black women face barriers to land and wealth ownership - historical injustices, and systemic challenges.

🔹 Community-led solutions - how grassroots movements are reclaiming land and resources for marginalised communities.

🔹 The power of collective ownership - why co-operatives, land trusts, and community businesses are key to economic justice.

🔹 Building sustainable wealth - strategies for Black women to secure land, housing, and economic power.

🔹 Inspiring success stories - how organisations like SAWN, Hastings Commons, and Lankelly Chase are making a difference.

This powerful discussion sheds light on the urgent need for systemic change and provides practical steps for Black women to reclaim economic independence and community wealth.

🎧 Tune in to learn how land justice can be a tool for empowerment, equity, and lasting change for Black women and their communities.

Moving to a new country comes with challenges beyond just adapting to a new culture,it often means redefining self-worth, beauty, and relationships. In this candid episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Judith, Agatha, and Ruth dive deep into the complex expectations migrant women face in the UK when it comes to beauty standards, relationships, and cultural identity.

From shifting power dynamics in relationships to confronting Western beauty ideals, this discussion sheds light on the unspoken struggles of many African migrant women. Agatha shares a deeply personal story of love, deception, and resilience, highlighting how some men exploit vulnerability in relationships, particularly single mothers and asylum seekers.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 Beauty & self-worth - navigating Western beauty expectations while staying true to African identity.
🔹 Power dynamics in relationships - how financial independence and cultural differences impact dating and marriage.
🔹 Recognising red flags - love bombing, financial manipulation, and the emotional toll of toxic relationships.
🔹 Healing from past trauma - why unhealed wounds from previous relationships can sabotage new beginnings.
🔹 The role of community & sisterhood - how support networks like SAWN help women regain confidence and rebuild their lives.
🔹 Living unapologetically - why migrant women should embrace their independence and refuse to settle for less in relationships.

Through raw storytelling, personal experiences, and empowering advice, this episode is a powerful reminder that self-love and self-worth should never be compromised, no matter the pressures of society or relationships.

🎧 Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on identity, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness as a migrant woman in the UK.

Parenting is already a journey filled with challenges, but for asylum seekers and immigrants, raising children in a new country comes with added struggles of cultural adaptation, systemic barriers, and social isolation. In this episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Judith Nyanjowa and Lillian Musiitwa are joined by Karen Savile, a social worker for SAWN, to discuss the unique difficulties faced by migrant parents.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 Parenting in unfamiliar territory - how adjusting to a new country, language, and social norms affects raising children.
🔹 Navigating cultural differences - balancing traditional parenting values with Western societal expectations.
🔹 The education system - understanding schooling in the UK and supporting children’s learning while adapting to a different structure.
🔹 Systemic challenges - dealing with racism, legal restrictions, and lack of access to services as an asylum-seeking parent.
🔹 The emotional toll - how the stress of immigration status, financial struggles, and social isolation impacts parenting.
🔹 Support systems & resources - how organisations like SAWN help parents build community and access necessary support.

From discipline and cultural identity to mental health and access to services, this episode provides a much-needed discussion on the realities of migrant parenting, one filled with both struggles and resilience.

🎧 Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on what it truly means to parent while navigating the asylum system and the challenges of a new life in a foreign land.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but for Africans in the diaspora, grief comes with unique cultural, emotional, and logistical challenges. In this deeply personal episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Judith Nyanjowa, Lilian Musiitwa, and Rose Ssali explore how African migrant communities navigate bereavement in a foreign land, far from the traditions and support systems of home.

The conversation is particularly poignant following the recent loss of a dear sister in the community, Rose Kabera Tariwale, whose life and contributions are honoured throughout the episode.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 The loneliness of grief in the diaspora - how mourning differs without the extended family and community support often found back home.
🔹 Cultural expectations vs. Western reality - the struggle to adapt traditional African mourning rituals to a fast-paced, individualistic society.
🔹 Financial and legal hurdles - the complexities of repatriation, funeral costs, and the emotional toll of not being able to travel for last goodbyes.
🔹 The trauma of unresolved grief - how COVID-19 restrictions and immigration status can make bereavement even harder.
🔹 The importance of community - why grassroots networks like SAWN (Support and Action for Women’s Network) play a crucial role in helping migrants cope with loss.
🔹 Breaking the silence on death - how normalising conversations about end-of-life planning can ease the burden on grieving families.

Through personal stories and shared wisdom, this episode creates a safe space for an open and honest conversation about loss, resilience, and the importance of honouring our traditions while adapting to new realities.

🎧 Tune in for an emotional and insightful discussion on what it means to grieve as an African in the diaspora, and how we find healing, even when home feels far away.

For many migrants, the journey doesn’t end upon arrival; it’s just the beginning of an emotional and psychological struggle. In this powerful episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Agatha Phiri, Ruth Mbera, and Judith Nyanjowa explore immigration psychosis, the deep and lasting mental health effects of displacement, uncertainty, and systemic neglect.

Joined by Dr. Suriya Nayak, an expert in social work and a dedicated activist, the discussion challenges Western psychiatric labels and highlights the human rights perspective of migration trauma. Dr. Nayak emphasises that while "psychosis" is often used to describe extreme distress, the reality for migrants, especially those facing forced displacement, racial discrimination, and immigration detention, is one of survival in the face of unimaginable stress.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 What is immigration psychosis? A breakdown of its meaning beyond the clinical definition.
🔹 The trauma of forced migration—how the body and mind react to loss, uncertainty, and systemic barriers.
🔹 Living in fear—how asylum seekers are forced to relive their trauma through repeated questioning, surveillance, and isolation.
🔹 Resilience and recovery—why grassroots support networks like SAWN (Support and Action for Women’s Network) play a crucial role in healing.
🔹 The power of language—how terms like "survivor" empower migrants rather than stigmatise them.
🔹 Breaking the silence—why sharing lived experiences is a form of healing and activism.

Through personal testimonies, expert insights, and raw emotions, this episode exposes the hidden mental health crisis among migrants and the urgent need for compassionate policies and community-driven support.

“Together we are stronger, and silence will not protect.” Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that challenges misconceptions and offers hope to those navigating the harsh realities of immigration.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. Your story matters.

Experience the harsh realities of the UK's housing crisis through the lens of activist Kwajo Tweneboa as he shares a deeply personal story of resilience and advocacy. Kwado paints a vivid picture of his family's struggles with inadequate housing, compounded by his father's battle with cancer. This episode shines a light on systemic issues in the housing sector, exploring the urgent need for reform and support for those who endure similar conditions.

The conversation fearlessly tackles the uncomfortable truths of government racism and housing discrimination. We unpack the chilling silence forced upon asylum seekers by the ever-present fear of deportation. By contrasting the differing treatment of Ukrainian refugees with other asylum seekers, we expose the underlying racism and highlight the need for compassion and consistent immigration policies. Kwajo's insights serve as a powerful critique of current government practices, prompting a call for empathy and fairness.

Finally, we shift focus to the undeniable contributions of migrants and asylum seekers to the NHS and society at large. Through compelling stories, the episode challenges misconceptions and spotlights the financial and emotional burdens these communities bear. We advocate for recognising housing as a basic human right and underline the importance of reforming housing and immigration systems. The episode stands as a testament to the resilience of these communities and our collective responsibility to address systemic neglect and prioritise human needs.

Tune in to this powerful first episode of Our Story, Your Voice to understand, empathise, and join the call for meaningful change.

Episode 1: Welcome to Our Story, Your Voice

In this introductory episode, we invite you to join us on a journey of empowerment, connection, and discovery. Our Story, Your Voice is a podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black African women in Oldham, celebrating their stories of strength, resilience, and triumph.

Hosted by Agatha Phiri, Ruth Mbera, Lillian Mbekeka, Judith Nyanjowa, this podcast is a safe space to share personal experiences, explore unique challenges, and promote a sense of community. From discussions on mental and physical health to stories of overcoming adversity, we aim to shed light on the incredible lives of women whose voices deserve to be heard.

Tune in as we set the stage for what's to come—thought-provoking conversations, inspiring guests, and a commitment to creating awareness, solidarity, and change. Whether you're here to share, learn, or stand in solidarity, Your Story, Our Voice is for you.

This is more than a podcast; it’s a community. Let’s get started!